TOP10 Best Pet Transportation Services
Complete Reviews of Leading Pet Transportation Services

Do I Need a Pet Transportation Service for My Pet?

There are many reasons to hire a pet transportation service. Maybe you want to take your pet on vacation, but they can’t accompany you on the plane. Perhaps you’re moving cross-country and taking them in the car is too stressful. Or maybe you need to transport a newly adopted pet to their new home.

The best pet transportation services can safely get your pet to your travel destination, providing peace of mind during your trip. For example, a pet transport service can handle customs clearance or help you gather needed documentation, such as vaccination records. Some companies specialize in transporting exotic pets. Others even provide individual transportation for reactive or fearful pets.

What Does a Pet Transportation Service Do?

Pet shipping companies offer either domestic or international transport — or both. For domestic travel, you can have your pet transported by ground or by air. For the few pet shipping companies who provide international transport, air travel is the way to go.

Domestic air travel is fast, but it is generally more expensive than pet transportation by ground. If your pet tends to be nervous or reactive, consider private pet transportation services, which carry only one pet throughout the trip.

International pet transportation companies offer services related to air travel, such as:

• Airplane Flight
• Customs and quarantine
• Airport pickup
• Veterinary treatments and health certificates
• Paperwork reviews

What Should I Look for in a Pet Transportation Service?

Many factors are involved in the search for the best pet transport service. When a decision involves your pet’s safety and well-being, information is essential. Below we list important things to look for in a pet transportation service.

Follows USDA Regulations

A pet transportation service should be registered with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and follow USDA regulations for shipping pets. For example, the USDA does not allow a pet shipping company to transport pets younger than 8 weeks old. The company should comply with USDA humane handling and enclosure requirements.

Registrations and Certifications

Look for pet transportation services that are registered with the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IATA). The best pet transportation services will also have certifications from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Pet transport insurance and pet care certifications are also essential. A pet transport company usually must be USDA certified to obtain insurance. Your pet should be accompanied by an animal handler who will provide quality care, such as regular stops for walks. Reliable pet transport certifications include International Boarding and Pet Services Association (IBPSA) and National Association of Professional Pet Sitters.

Safety Measures and Emergency Plan

When searching for the best pet transportation services, find out if the company has safety measures and an emergency plan in place. For example, the pet transport company should have the pet’s identification information and follow animal welfare guidelines.

Look for pet transport companies with excellent safety and reliability records. Your pet’s safety and well-being should be the priority for a top pet transportation company.

Takes All Types of Breeds

When searching for the best pet transportation service, look for a company that accepts all types of breeds, including exotic pets. Some pet shipping companies also specialize in certain types of pets. For example, if you need shipping services for an exotic pet or a fearful dog, consider looking for a company that offers specialty care for those types of pets.

Regular Updates

Your pet is family, so it only natural that you would want regular updates during your pet’s transport. Knowing your pet’s whereabouts at any given time provides peace of mind. The best pet transportation services will provide frequent updates on your pet’s location and status.

Door-to-Door Delivery

Some leading pet transportation services offer door-to-door pet pickup and delivery. Door-to-door service can take a lot of the stress and uncertainty out of moving or traveling. Your pet doesn’t have to go through more stressful travel time, and you don’t have to make an extra trip to drop off and pick up your pet.

Pricing

The price of pet transportation depends on a variety of factors, such as distance traveled and pet size and breed. Here is a breakdown of factors that can affect price:

• Pet travel distance: longer distances generally cost more than shorter trips, due to fuel costs, overnight accommodation and other expenses. For long-distance pet travel, you may want to consider larger, reputable pet transport companies that charge less per mile.
• Pet size and breed: Generally, transporting a smaller pet is less expensive than a larger pet. However, pet shipping companies may charge more for exotic pets as well as certain dog or cat breeds.
• Health records: Wherever you and your pet travel, you will have to provide certain pet health records. These typically include proof of immunizations and a pet health certificate.
• Travel equipment: Your pet will need a crate for long-distance transport. You can either purchase your own crate — especially if you plan to transport your pet frequently — or you can book with a pet shipping service that provides crates.

Add-On Services

Some top pet transport companies offer add-on services for extra fees. These services can provide peace of mind. Examples of these optional services include:

• Pet nanny: accompanies your pet during air travel, allowing your pet to fly in the cabin instead of cargo.
• Concierge service: carries out essential tasks such as US customs clearance, international health certificate preparation, pet records review, travel eligibility assessment, and more.
• Pet protection plan: covers unforeseen expenses such as emergency trip cancellation, veterinary treatment, travel interruptions.

Refund and Cancellation Policy

Before you hire a pet shipping service, find out about their refund and cancellation policies. For example, some companies will give you a refund if you cancel within 24 hours of booking your reservation and a driver has not been assigned. Another company may require a deposit that can be refunded after a 14-day grace period. Depending on the pet shipping company, an administration fee may be deducted from your refund.

Do Pet Transportation Services Ever Have Breed Restrictions?

Most ground pet transport services will take any breed of dog or cat, and many will accept exotic pets. Some companies and airlines, however, have breed restrictions due to health and safety concerns. For example, airlines generally do not allow brachycephalic breeds (flat-nosed breeds such as Shih Tzus or bulldogs) in the cargo area of the plane. To be on the safe side, always ask about any breed policies and restrictions before hiring a pet shipping service.

How Do I Find the Best Pet Transportation Service?

As you search the internet for pet shipping companies, it’s hard to know where to start. From safety certifications to refund policies, there are many features to search for and compare. In the following sections, we’ll help you get started in your search for the best pet transportation service.

Read Our Pet Transportation Service Reviews

Pet shipping companies offer a wide range of services, depending on your travel plans, pet breed, and other factors. We can help you sift through all that information by providing detailed reviews of leading pet transportation services. After researching pet shipping companies, we post detailed reviews and recommendations to help you search for the best pet transportation service. Even better, our reviews are all on one website.

At the top of this page, find top pet transport services and click to read reviews. Scroll down and check out our comparison table, which lets you quickly compare features of each company. Our goal is to provide balanced reviews to heal you find the best pet shipping service for your travel needs.

Check Customer Reviews

Customer reviews are another great resource for finding top pet shipping services. Other pet parents care about their furry friends just like you do, so their opinions of pet transport companies are valuable. The more information you have, the better equipped you’ll be to search for the best pet transportation service.

Best Pet Transportation Service Reviews

More than 100,000 people have been helped by our pet transportation service reviews. Our detailed reviews of top pet shipping services include recommendations for the best pet transportation services 2024. To get started, here are some of our recommended top pet transport service reviews: